In a world filled with challenges, one beacon of hope has emerged through the efforts of our dedicated Peculiar Women of Substance. We are thrilled to share the story of our successful reading project and the profound impact it has had on countless lives.
At the heart of our organization’s mission lies a simple yet powerful belief: education is the key to empowerment. We embarked on a journey to make this belief a reality by Twifo Juabeng D/A Basic School for our 2nd edition of the Reading Project dubbed Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader.”
The Peculiar Women of Substance Foundation’s dedication to women empowerment, child advocacy, and the pursuit of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led the organization to successfully conduct its second annual reading project titled. The project aimed to instill a love for reading in the younger generation.
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The Journey Begins
Our reading project started with a vision – a vision of a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to books and the opportunity to develop a love for reading. Preparations for the Reading Project began at the start of the year with fundraising efforts and the collection of gently used books from the public. The project’s significance lies in its ability to foster a passion for reading among school children while highlighting the importance of reading.
The primary beneficiaries of this project were the students of Twifo Juabeng D/A Basic School. A dedicated team conducted preliminary visits to the school, engaging with teachers, parents, and community leaders to explain the project’s objectives and garner their support.
Collaborative Partnerships
But our project was not just about placing books on shelves; it was about igniting a passion for reading. To achieve this, we partnered with the Ghana Library Authority and Firenite with support from AbiBeck Foods. The support from these partners was instrumental in achieving the project’s goals.
With the partnership we received from the Ghana Library Authority, we organized reading and storytelling sessions, audiovisual sessions, a mobile library tour, a mentorship session, and a lecture on the importance of reading and enjoyed some games and snacks.
Project Execution
The foundation managed to collect 27,542 cedis in funds from generous contributors. These funds were utilized to purchase essential reading and writing materials, including 2,000 exercise books, pens, pencils, mathematical sets, 5,000 storybooks, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, textbooks, novels, and dictionaries. The project reached 514 schoolchildren.
On the 30th of August, 2023, the project team, led by Ms. Mavis Sackey, Founder, and CEO of Peculiar Women of Substance, embarked on a journey to Twifo Atti-Morkwa District, Twifo Juabeng D/A Basic School. The team’s early departure at 4 a.m. ensured they arrived at 12:30 p.m. despite picking up additional volunteers along the way.
Upon arrival, the team set up a display of materials and was honored by the presence of the local chief, elders, and parents. The event began with a prayer, followed by introductions of the Peculiar Women of Substance Foundation and its partners, including the Ghana Library Authority.
The theme ” Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader” was explained, emphasizing the importance of reading and education to school children and the entire gathering. The students were then divided into different classes for various activities, including mentorship on time management, storytelling, audiovisual sessions, a mobile library tour, snacks, educational games, guided reading sessions, and question-and-answer sessions.
The project concluded with the distribution of exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, and mathematical sets to the students. Novels and textbooks were donated to the school, eliciting great excitement among the children. The event was captured through photos and videos, preserving the joyous moments.
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Challenges Faced
The main challenge encountered during the project was the long distance to the school, resulting in a delayed arrival. This limited the time available for interaction with the students.
Our successful reading project has taught us that change is possible when communities come together with a shared vision. While we are proud of our accomplishments, we know that the journey is ongoing.
Future Plans
To build on the success of the Reading Project, the Peculiar Women of Substance Foundation intends to establish reading clubs to monitor and support the reading habits of the students in their absence. Additionally, based on community suggestions, the foundation is considering adding school uniforms to the list of donated materials in future projects.
The Reading Project, “Today A Reader, Tomorrow A Leader” was a remarkable initiative that not only promoted literacy but also left a lasting impact on the school children of Twifo Juabeng D/A Basic School. Peculiar Women of Substance Foundation remains committed to its mission of empowerment and education, looking forward to future endeavors that will continue to uplift the younger generation.4
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer, donor, teacher, parent, and child who has been a part of this incredible journey. Your dedication and commitment have transformed lives and brighten futures.
Joining Hands for a Brighter Tomorrow
As we reflect on the success of our reading project, we look forward to the future with renewed vigor. We remain committed to our mission of empowering through education, and we invite you to join us on this remarkable journey toward a brighter, more literate tomorrow.
In the end, it’s not just about teaching children to read; it’s about instilling in them a lifelong love for learning and the belief that they can achieve anything through the power of knowledge. Together, we can make this vision a reality.